Month: March 2023

Rodri described Scotland’s style of play as “rubbish” after Spain fell to a surprise 2-0 defeat in Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden Park, accusing Steve Clarke’s hosts of time-wasting.

Scott McTominay scored early in both halves as Scotland maintained their perfect start in Group A, dealing Luis de la Fuente his first defeat since he replaced Luis Enrique as Spain boss.

While the result represents Spain’s first European Championship qualification defeat since October 2014 (2-1 v Slovakia), it is also the first time La Roja have lost a game by more than a one-goal margin since Euro 2016 (2-0 v Italy).

Spain were visibly frustrated as Scotland produced a resolute defensive performance in Glasgow, with players from both teams involved in a series of altercations as the game went on.

Spain’s stand-in captain Rodri was less than impressed with Scotland’s display after the game, telling ViaPlay: “It’s the way they play, in the end you have to respect it, but for me it’s a bit rubbish.

“It’s always wasting time, they provoke you, they always fall. This for me is not football. The referee says nothing and it’s a bit frustrating because we want to win.

“It’s difficult, because they waste time. But they have their weapons, and we will learn for the next time. 

“We wanted to go in the duels and the battles. We always fight, but this is not about fighting, it’s about wasting time, it’s about four or five players falling to the floor, those kinds of situations.

“These teams are always physically strong, but we have to use our weapons. We are good with the ball and have to move the ball quickly. Today we did many good things, but we didn’t score.”

Scotland skipper Andy Robertson disagreed with Rodri’s assessment, believing Spain were guilty of play-acting in the early stages and praising his team-mates for winning the physical battle.

“I think they were going down a little bit easily. We were trying to say that [to the referee],” Robertson said.

“We were always going to try to be physical and we wanted to be in their faces, to win our challenges and win our headers. I think we did that and I don’t think we crossed the line. 

“I think, especially in the first half, they were rolling around a bit much, they used their experience and got a couple of us booked, but I think we won that battle and got under their skin.”

Kevin De Bruyne revelled in a reinvigorated Belgium realising their potential as the new Red Devils captain hailed the “fun” approach Domenico Tedesco has instilled.

Manchester City superstar De Bruyne assisted two and scored another as Belgium defeated Germany 3-2 in Tuesday’s friendly at RheinEnergieStadion.

That made new coach Tedesco the first Belgium manager to start his tenure with two victories since Rene Vandereycken in 2006.

Tedesco also became the first Belgium boss to see his side score six goals in his first two matches since 1999 when Robert Waseige’s new side managed nine from their first pair of outings.

De Bruyne, whose 46 assists for his country are 15 more than any international team-mate since his August 2010 debut, lauded the early work Tedesco has delivered since Roberto Martinez’s exit.

“It was a nice match. The first 30 minutes were very good, full of effort. It’s good to see that we can be so good,” De Bruyne said on television channel VTM. “After that it was a bit more difficult, but it is logical that you also get into trouble against a team like Germany.

“The last quarter of an hour was hard, but it is good to see that this team can do that too. The combinations were there, defensively it was also pretty good. There were many positives.

“It’s fun to play like this, fun for everyone. Not only with the ball, also defensively. We try to put pressure on quickly and win the ball quickly. Then you get the ball back so much faster, that is also the intention of the coach. There were many good moments. 

“The coach has already laid a certain foundation, for example in terms of structure. His way of playing is already a bit there, but there are of course also times when it is still a bit difficult. 

“But after eight days together, I think this is the best we could do.”

Belgium crashed out in the group stages at the World Cup in Qatar as Martinez waved goodbye to what many deem a golden generation of international footballers for the Red Devils.

Martinez’s side finished third at FIFA’s top international tournament four years before at Russia 2018, sandwiched in between a pair of quarter-final eliminations at the European Championships.

While it appears a vastly talented group of Belgian footballers may end their career without international reward, Tedesco’s new era has offered early promise.

A rare win over Germany, who were stunned by early goals from Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku, coupled with Friday’s 3-0 victory over Sweden in Euro 2024 qualifying have left Tedesco impressed.

“Yes, I am satisfied after these two victories,” Tedesco said on VTM. “Not only with the result, but also with the way we played. Only we should have finished the game in the first half.

“I wanted my players to show courage, to play forward and to claim the ball, even when Germany put pressure on us. We have the players for it. We have to believe in our own strengths, but we have to maintain the quality we bring for 90 minutes. And that’s the problem.”

Belgium’s elimination at the World Cup came as somewhat of a surprise, given their recent success at major tournaments, and Tedesco is out to offer his new players a lease of freedom.

“The players have qualities, they can play freely here and are allowed to make mistakes,” he said at his post-match press conference.

“The most important thing is that they develop as a team and as individuals. We must help and guide them in this.

“It is crucial that the enthusiasm is back. I have a good feeling and am extremely motivated. However, we still have a lot of work to do. If you win, it’s more fun, of course. 

“But I do not agree that Belgian football was at a standstill after the World Cup. Losing matches at a World Cup, that can happen.”

Second-half goals from Harvey Gilmour and Milli Alli earned Halifax a hard-fought 2-0 win over visitors Aldershot at The Shay.

The hosts were fortunate to reach half-time level-pegging after former Town striker Tahvon Campbell went close from long range then Henry Ochieng’s effort was grabbed by keeper Sam Johnson.

But Halifax had more success in the second half with Rob Harker going close before Gilmour opened the scoring on 64 minutes following a goalmouth scramble.

Shots keeper Luca Ashby-Hammond kept his side in with a chance as he produced fine saves to deny Jamie Cooke and Luke Summerfield.

But Halifax grabbed their second deep into injury time when they counter-attacked following a Shots corner and Alli rolled the ball into the empty net with Ashby-Hammond stranded upfield.

Asa Hall headed a first-half winner as Torquay kept their slim National League survival hopes alive with their first victory in nine at Boreham Wood.

Hall steered home from a Kevin Dawson cross on the half-hour and it proved enough to take three precious points for the Gulls, whilst hitting the hosts’ play-off aspirations.

Torquay could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Frank Nouble was played through but denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore, who parried over the crossbar.

The hosts, chasing their first win in three, pressed for an equaliser with Dennon Lewis finding the side-netting and Zak Brunt denied by Mark Halstead in the visitors’ goal.

But Torquay managed to negotiate seven minutes of added time to claim the points that give them hope in their battle for survival.

Scott McTominay predicted Scotland’s fans will talk about Tuesday’s win over Spain in 30 years’ time after his brace helped the Tartan Army maintain their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying. 

Having also scored twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Cyprus, McTominay netted in both halves as Scotland handed Luis de la Fuente his first defeat as Spain boss, triumphing 2-0 at a buoyant Hampden Park.

Scotland have now won their first two games of a World Cup/Euros qualification campaign for the first time since September 2006, putting them three points clear of Spain at the Group A summit.

Manchester United midfielder McTominay, meanwhile, has four goals in his last two international appearances after netting just once in his first 37.

Speaking after the full-time whistle, McTominay was aware of the significance of his second brace in three days, telling ViaPlay: “Look at this place. I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s incredible!

“The manager said in his talk before we went out, ‘This is your chance to make your own legacies as Scotland players’.

“These are the nights that in 20 or 30 years, people will remember, and they’ll watch the game back and say, ‘I was there’.

“That’s what the game is about. These fans are amazing every time we come to Hampden and we can’t thank them enough.”

While the result provided a huge boost to Steve Clarke’s hopes of leading Scotland to successive European Championships, the head coach is keen to ensure his players do not get carried away.  

Asked if Tuesday’s victory was the best of his managerial career, Clarke said: “I’ve not had time to think about it or digest it yet, I’m just trying to get my voice back, to be honest!

“If you can produce a big result against one of the top teams in Europe, then people speak about it in years to come.

“The players were absolutely outstanding from the first minute to the last minute. It’s a big night, it feels like a big step forward in what we’re trying to do as a nation.

“But it’s only six points, you don’t qualify with six points. One bad game can always set you back, so we’ll stay focused and keep our feet on the ground.”

Joe Nuttall equalised from the penalty spot as Oldham claimed a 2-2 draw in their Vanarama National League encounter at Wealdstone.

Nuttall had also been the first to get on the scoresheet when he put the visitors ahead after 27 minutes but Olufela Olomola equalised three minutes after the break.

Substitute Sonny Blu Lo-Everton put Wealdstone ahead on 57 minutes but Oldham were quickly back level as Nuttall converted from the spot.

Both sides had chances to claim a winner but the points were shared.

Southend’s hopes of reaching the National League play-offs continued to fade after they slumped to their seventh consecutive defeat – 1-0 at Dorking.

Seb Bowerman’s 30th-minute strike gave the home side their second successive win as they built on Saturday’s victory over Maidenhead with a dominant display.

Bowerman powered home the opener from a cross by James McShane and the visitors managed to summon little in response as the hosts took a narrow lead into the interval.

Shrimpers goalkeeper Collin Andeng-Ndi kept his side in with a chance in the second half after pulling off fine saves to deny both Josh Taylor and Bowerman.

But the visitors seldom looked like breaking their losing streak and fell further away from the play-off places after another below-par display.

Inter deserve more respect in the Champions League after progressing from a group containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Nerazzurri goalkeeper Andre Onana says.

Simone Inzaghi’s side finished second in Group C in UEFA’s top club competition, with a home win and an away draw against Xavi’s Blaugrana proving crucial to their group-stage progression.

Inter then negotiated a tough last-16 task against Porto, winning 1-0 on aggregate in the two-legged affair, and face Benfica in the quarter-final.

The Nerazzurri could face either runaway Serie A leaders Napoli or Milan in the last four as Italian clubs dominate in Europe, and Onana believes his side should get more credit.

“We deserve more respect in Europe, given that we sent Barcelona to the Europa League and faced a complicated group,” he told Mediaset on Tuesday.

“We have shown that we are a strong team. It doesn’t matter what will happen in the next round, we will face Benfica to win. I want to win everything.”

The Scudetto appears destined for Napoli, who are 19 points clear at the Serie A summit, but Inter are still fighting on two fronts for silverware.

Alongside their Champions League exploits, a Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus awaits, with the first leg coming in a week at Allianz Stadium.

Onana insists Inter can go all the way due to their preparations and performances under Inzaghi.

He added: “We must always play without fear. If there is fear, it’s better not to take the field. A difficult month awaits us, but we prepare every day to play matches like those against Juventus and Benfica.

“I am convinced that if we work in the right way, it will be a month full of satisfaction.”

Before the Coppa Italia clash with Juventus, Inter – who are third in Serie A – host Fiorentina in the league on Saturday.

Laurie Walker saved two late penalties as Barnet dramatically held on for a 1-1 draw in their Vanarama National League clash at promotion rivals Woking.

Walker twice denied Rhys Browne in the closing stages as Woking missed a chance to tighten their grip on third place.

Browne had earlier equalised for the hosts after a weaving run four minutes into the second half.

Harry Pritchard had opened the scoring for Barnet, who also hit the bar through Dale Gorman, with a long-range strike after 14 minutes.

Hansi Flick rued a timid Germany performance as Belgium “took full advantage” to seize an unassailable early lead in Tuesday’s 3-2 friendly triumph in Cologne.

Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku fired Domenico Tedesco’s new-look Belgium into a 2-0 lead inside nine minutes at RheinEnergieStadion.

A Niclas Fullkrug penalty, his sixth goal in as many international appearances, brought Flick’s side back into it before Kevin De Bruyne – who created Belgium’s first two goals – put the game out of reach.

Serge Gnabry managed a late consolation but Flick acknowledged there was no way back after Tedesco’s visitors punished a woeful start to earn Belgium’s first win against Germany since 1954.

“We were too cautious, too passive and weren’t able to put our opponents under pressure, and Belgium took full advantage,” Flick said on RTL.

“Our passion brought us back into contention, but it wasn’t quite enough to get a result.”

While a late fightback offered Flick reason for hope, Germany must improve and make use of their international friendlies, given they have automatically qualified for Euro 2024 as a host nation.

Their cause was not helped by Leon Goretzka limping off with an ankle injury in the first half, raising fears the midfielder will not feature in Bayern Munich’s crucial Bundesliga meeting with Borussia Dortmund.

Just a point separates Bundesliga leaders Dortmund and Bayern ahead of Saturday’s Klassiker at Allianz Arena, with Thomas Tuchel set to take charge of the reigning champions for the first time.

The former Chelsea coach’s appointment came after the dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann last week, but Tuchel may be boosted by the injury update Goretzka provided after the match.

Bayern star Goretzka, who appeared in an upbeat mood, told reporters: “I’ve twisted my ankle. It shouldn’t last until Saturday.”